Minions of the far right are bullies, plain and simple. Trust me, I’ve spent the past decade or so, being attacked by them. I’m not good enough, nor do I measure up to their increasingly irrational standards. I thought I enjoyed being around liberals, but I’ve discovered that liberals can be just as nasty as bullies as are conservatives. Libertarians are even nastier. So are irate evangelicals, atheists with an agenda, climate bullies, anti-immigration bigots, pro-lifers, tea party patriots, anti-government activists, nut cases of many ilks, the food police, certain race-bating activists, and so forth and so on. In other words, anyone can become a bully. They all get old, fast.

Let’s add anyone with a little bit of knowledge and expertise in any subject, and you get a good idea of just how annoying the world can be. The other day I read an article by a pediatrician slamming individuals who have post-Lyme Disease, and chronic Lyme disease. He says it doesn’t exist. He’s a pediatrician, not a disease specialist, but his article was featured on a prominent site. It’s like this, I know differently. I have a young friend who is suffering, horribly from the disease. I started doing a little research, and noticed that the CDC is only now being forced to admit they have downplayed the seriousness of the disease.

I’m sick of being bullied by self-righteous atheists who have a distinct hatred toward Christianity. There is a difference between them, and intellectually honest atheists who truly believe what they believe, and don’t try to take a person apart, or ridicule them for having a faith.

Then there is what must not be said, or it will cause me to be branded as a racist. Most cops are good. The vast majority of cops are good. There are a few bad one show give them all a bad name. The same thing holds true for people of all races. We all have agendas. Everyone does. Anyone who says they aren’t is lying. There are young black men who are evil – not many, but there are a few. When it is obvious that good cops are doing their job, why try destroying them? Something I really don’t get here is the fact that all the outrage seems to be against cops. If people truly want to change the system, make it fair – and it isn’t – they need to target DAs and prosecutors. They need to vote. There is something truly tawdry about obnoxious twits going from one cause to another – to see and be seen. You want to change the system – VOTE!

Aren’t you getting sick and tired of the hype about Chris Kyle’s life? The man did a soul-sucking job. The far right is making a mistake about worshiping him. The left is making a bigger mistake by trying to destroy him. What is truly tragic is that they appear to be making light of PTSD. If a person served in active duty in the war and want to take Kyle apart, fine. If they haven’t been there, then shut up about it.

One of the things that caused me to turn on the GOP is their never-ending attack machine. Barack Obama is not the enemy. He’s a decent man, doing his best to do what is right. Yes, I’ve changed. I began changing when I refused to indulge in the constant hatred both parties have for one another. It is destroying the country, turning us into a joke. It isn’t necessary for all of us to get along, but we do need to treat one another decently.

I am a political animal. I no longer belong – anywhere. As far as the upcoming political season, I don’t know what I’m going to do. When you have a friend who is thinking about running for office, you don’t like seeing that person trashed – no matter what the party. I’ll probably support him – not that he has a snowball’s chance in hell. But, he’s my friend. When I do, I will be damned by the left and damned by the right. It reminds me of something that went down on Twitter last night. I was going back and forth with someone about raising the minimum wage. His comment was, now that the GOP is in office, forget it. I told him that states and municipalities had the option of doing it on their own. He said that it was obvious they wouldn’t do it in Red States. I told him that, shockingly, more Red States had their citizens vote to raise the minimum wage than Blue States did. I also suggested he look it up – because I did not have the time.

These blanket pronouncements are what truly annoy me. The average person is neither right nor left. We have issues which may be both right and left. I lean left when it comes to human services, housing, public assistance, food stamps, immigration, and human rights. I also prefer Elizabeth Warren’s agenda. I am Neocon, a national security wonk who basically feels we need to start butting out of everyone’s life, overseas, an pursue a human right’s based agenda, helping those who are unable to help themselves. People who have clean water, enough food, decent shelter, medical assistance, and an opportunity for education tend to make more responsible national decisions.

I suspect my political affiliation is based on the Sermon on the Mount. It works for me.

Post navigation

SJ Reidhead (aka The Pink Flamingo) is a writer based in New Mexico. The author of two published novels, both westerns: Dust Devil and The Second Mrs. Earp and two published works of non-fictions: TRAVESTY: Frank Waters Earp Agenda Exposed and A Church for Helldorado, Endicott Peabody's 1882 Tombstone Diary. One of the leading authorities on the life of Wyatt Earp and Tombstone during the Earp years, she is currently writing a series of murder mysteries set in modern day Tombstone. The author is also working on a book about fashion in the Wild West. When complete, there will be over 2100 unpublished antique photographs dating from 1855-1910.

The author's work has appeared in Wild West, True West, Blogcritics, and The Tombstone Times. Recently the author has had to deal with a father who succumbed to Alzheimer's Disease. This is leading to a book dealing with the frustrations of dealing with the frustrations of the disease, finance, legal, health-care, and things no one bothers telling families about it. She is currently working on a murder mystery series set in modern day Tombstone and Cochise County. Several books of essays on Christian living are currently in edits. A book of essays and revisions of articles about Wyatt Earp has been completed and will include her latest work detailing her theory about the murder of his second wife, Mattie.

SJ Reidhead has been involved in Republican politics since she was 'a little kid'. During the Reagan years she was a lobbyist working with various non-profit organizations who were attempting to salvage NASA and the American space program after the disastrous Carter years. In spite of ups and downs, and numerous disappointments, politically, it is obvious the only political hope for this country is via the Republican Party. Along with politics she is an opera fanatic, has been known to stalk baritones to the point of being a baritone junkie, and loves baseball.

The Pink Flamingo went on line on October 4, 2005.

THE PINK FLAMINGO STORY

It started out as a joke. During the seven years I worked with the girls of my parish, leading a youth group, one of the things that I stressed were manners. Part of having manners, the way I see it, is to know how to set a proper table, host a party, cater it, and clean up afterward. I was fortunate enough to have a group of very talented girls in my youth group. They learned how to plan for, and execute large church functions, very properly. During one such function I noticed there were several incredibly tacky pink flamingos sitting on the table. Knowing the girls were up to something, I said nothing. A few months later they did the same thing at a function I was hosting at my home. I said nothing. They had a birthday party for me. More pink flamingos appeared - and a joke was born.

Thanks to the girls, all of whom are now grown, I have a collection of pink flamingos. It has become an ongoing joke. When I began working on my political blog, I realized the only possibly title was The Pink Flamingo!